I'm replacing the carpeting in my vberth, gonna add a layer of pink closed cell foam underneath the new carpeting. I think a thick sealant type adhesive will be best, to cover the rough surface of the hull well and seal between the foam and the hull so that condensation doesn't become a problem. Will marine grade silicone do the job here, or would that lose its grip after only a few years? Is there anything less expensive that can be used? It has to be remove able fyi so epoxy or 5200 won't work.

What should I use to attach the carpeting to the foam?

benesailor

01-01-2013 09:18 PM

Re: what glue for attaching foam insulation to the cabin interior?

3M contact adhesive maybe? Spray or can. I have no faith in silicone for anything. I've worked construction for over 20 years; most of us have outlawed it for anything years ago. Like i tell my troops; nothing sticks to silicone so silicone sticks to nothing.

jrd22

01-01-2013 09:41 PM

Re: what glue for attaching foam insulation to the cabin interior?

I second the 3M spray adhesive. They make two strengths, use the strongest (I think it's called 90 or something as opposed to the 77). I've used it for foam sound insulation in engine compartments and it works great except for overhead which needs to be redone every couple of years.

hellosailor

01-01-2013 09:58 PM

Re: what glue for attaching foam insulation to the cabin interior?

Peter, silicone is the wrong adhesive. It costs a lot, has a high strength, and in that use? You need near zero strength. Look for a commercial carpet or flooring adhesive, or a latex "cove molding" type adhesive. Spread it on with a notched trowel, make sure it is designed to work with the padding you are using.

Of course, if you thoroughly glue down the padding that's gonna be a b|tch to ever remove, you might prefer to use double-sided carpet tape or just lay a 2-3" stripe of adhesive around the edges and in critical locations where the contour changes.

Offhand, "removable" says carpet tape to me, not adhesives.

RichH

01-01-2013 10:02 PM

Re: what glue for attaching foam insulation to the cabin interior?

http://www.amazon.com/3M-08090-Yellow-Super-Adhesive/dp/B0002JMPRK/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357092044&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=3M%C2%99+Super+Trim+Adhesive+08090 ... a bit 'stronger' than plain Super Trim adhesive and is used for 'heavy' headliners in vehicles.

Faster

01-02-2013 11:17 AM

Re: what glue for attaching foam insulation to the cabin interior?

Agree with the 3M recommendations, but I'd like to talk you out of carpet... try some easier-to-clean vinyl, formica or anything else less likely to glom onto moisture, dirt, mold etc. Wood battens most nautical, and can give a very warm feeling, vinyls and formicas can be light coloured for more light/bright below...

.. but other than a small mat at the companionway I don't think carpet belongs on a boat anywhere....

hellosailor

01-02-2013 11:20 AM

Re: what glue for attaching foam insulation to the cabin interior?

Obvisouly there's room for confusion here.

Peter, are you carpeting the overhead? The hull? Or the cabin sole?

What you can do and how well that's going to work will vary with what you intend to carpet.

chucklesR

01-02-2013 11:23 AM

Re: what glue for attaching foam insulation to the cabin interior?

Carpet is a guaranteed home for mold and mildew. Why go to the expense of closed cell foam, then cover it with a wet mop?

Go for the 3M, I like the roll on type for verticals.

kb3pwc

01-02-2013 12:34 PM

Re: what glue for attaching foam insulation to the cabin interior?

We did the overhead in our previous vessel....31 foot, lots of curves and had to grind off the foam left by the old cloth on the overhead. An ugly job.

We insulated with the pink foam panels you can get a Home Depot. We cut with a box cutter to let it bend in the boat and glued up with Liquid Nails. We also put up wood lathe with the Liquid Nails to tack up vinyl covering for the overhead. The foam was between the lathe strips. You need wood to act as holders for the Liquid Nails to set so the boat looked like a stick forest as pieces were set up and cured.

I was able to sew the vinyl pieces so they fit exactly to the shape of the boat's coach roof. The over head vinyl was then tacked up with a staple gun, securing into the wooden lathe strips. Varnished finish strips were then put up covering the stapled vinyl using phillips head screws.

The whole job was a killer but very worth the effort. Totally changed the appearance of the vessel's interior. The insulation was even better than the appearance. We were cooler in the summer and warmer during the cold months. A very worthwhile project. Worst part is grinding off that glue and foam before you can start.

Good luck with your project.

Leslie

s/v Tango, Cabo Rico 34
Lankford Bay Marina
Chester River, MD

SailingChance

01-02-2013 12:38 PM

Re: what glue for attaching foam insulation to the cabin interior?

We're actually going about this project ourselves on our 34' seafarer. We were going to line it with the marine carpet something like this for the insulation benefit: Hulliner and Headliner 72"

It claims to be mold resistant but does anyone have experience with this? If we were going to use a vinyl or formica how do we insulate it? Does it need to be insulated?